HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0510.000 1996-1998
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B G ISLAN AUTO CLUB
23-A Pohaku Street ~ Hilo, Hawaii 96720 ~ Phone: (808) 969-7077
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Aug. 10, 1997
Mr. Aaron Chung, Chairman ~ 1 ; 1 ~ I" ~ ! ~ `
Hawaii County Council Finance Committee
County of Hawaii C
25 Aupuni Street ~ - ~
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Hilo, HI 96720 CDU~~' ~ ~ y
Dear Chairman Chung:
The Big Island Auto Club (BIAC), a volunteer group founded in 1968 and which has
been holding nationally sanctioned drag races at the county's Hilo Drag Strip since 1977, wishes
to call to your attention the poor condition of the access road to what is otherwise Hawaii's
premier racing complex. We have identified awin-win solution to fixing the problem so the
thousands of residents and visitors who attended our monthly races may be assured of safe
access to the county track.
Racing fans must now drive down smile-long dirt road, past the landfill and through a
large pond that often forms near the transfer station. This discourages racers and fans who must
risk damage to their vehicles and threats to their safety to attend our events. Women, especially,
have feared for their wellbeing while forced to drive slowly down the unlit access road to BIAC
races, half of which are held at night.
The BIAC believes the county cannot reasonably expect the public to use this road, and
we know of no other county facility that is as hard to reach. This situation detracts from the
BIAC's goals, which are consistent with the county's stated objectives of promoting economic and
recreational activities for island youth through government-private partnerships.
The solution is to pave the road, although the BIAC is aware the county lacks revenues
to pay the estimated $205,000 cost calculated by a licensed contractor familiar with county road
projects. About two-thirds of the cost is attributable to labor and equipment, which the BIAC can
provide at no charge to the county under our proposal.
Other needed repaving could be accomplished the same way with little cost to the
taxpayer, while providing the benefit of easier access to a county facility.
?he entrance ;cad inside the racing complex, :vhich includes a go-cart track and newly
completed oval track for dirt cars, is in horrible condition, requiring frequent patchwork. Also in
disrepair is the one-lane road racers use after completing a pass down the drag strip.
The BIAC estimates the county would have to spend more than $450,000 if it were to hire
a private contractor to do the work. We are prepared to supply licensed contractors, laborers and
all technical equipment to complete the job if the county simply donates an estimated $160,000
worth of asphalt. These improvements would be permanent and belong to the county, allowing all
Big Island taxpayers to fully realize the benefits of the racing complex.
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Our figures were determined as follows:
Access Road
6,864 linear feet of dirt
20-foot-wide pavement 1.5 inches thick
1,716 tons A/C ($43/ton)
Labor = 132 132
Materials = 73 788
TOTAL = 205 920
Entrance Road
5,280 linear feet of rough pavement
20-foot-wide pavement 1.5 inches thick
1,320 tons A/C
Labor = 102 000
Materials = 56 760
TOTAL = 158760
Return Lane
3,210 linear feet of rough pavement
16-foot wide pavement 1.5 inches thick
720 tons A/C
Labor = 66 000
Materials = 30 985
TOTAL = 96985
Since 1992, the partnership with the county has resulted in the BIAC making more than
$250,000 in permanent track improvements that have helped make this County facility
undisputably Hawaii's finest drag racing complex.
The BIAC's volunteers perform a number of civic and charity functions, while the club's
races help improve the economy, offer inexpensive and safe recreation for residents and help get
illegal and dangerous racers off the public streets.
The BIAC holds demonstrations at island schools to encourage kids to avoid drugs and
violence in favor of motor sports that offer a variety of career opportunities ranging from racing
and promotion to automotive engineering and medical occupations. We also award a $500
scholarship every year.
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Drag racing offers exciting careers for the island's youth, while attracting dozens of off-
island racers, their families and pit crews. These visitors rent cars, stay in island hotels and
provide patronage to numerous businesses for a real economic benefit the island sorely needs.
Hawaii County has a history of providing generous financial support to private, for-profit
golf tournaments, sailing regattas and game shows. While these events help island tourism, the
BIAC feels they do not address the social problems of illegal street racing, drug use and juvenile
delinquency that BIAC volunteers provide at no cost to taxpayers.
We need your help to expand on our efforts to make Hawaii Island a better place to live
and visit. The BIAC understands the county's limitations, and wishes to continue building on our
30-year history of working together.
Please review our proposal, and let us know if this is not the best way to improve the
racing complex to provide a safer environment and more popular recreational activities for
residents and visitors alike.
Sin y,
Keith guiar, BIAIv'President
~sc.•~
e e Lauer, IAC Chairman
cc:
Councilman Dominic Yagong
Councilwoman Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd
Councilman James Arakaki
Councilman AI Smith
Councilman John Santangelo
Councilman Joseph Reynolds
Councilman Curtis Tyler
Councilman John Ray
William Davis
George Yoshida
Wayne Carvalho